I require test subjects, for science. I have a hunch/theory that skill gains are increased the farther away your rank is from your physical. I can't prove it with myself alone, and its still a stretch at best. It's just what I'm noticing on my highest rank (which is R24/Lv25) and I'm trying to account for disparities. This is likely a complete waste of time, but whatever. My data alone supports the theory, and it 'makes sense' as it could give meaning to Physical EXP that everybody just ignores.
The data is simple to collect. On my R24, I'll do damage in the 150s(talking with basic attacks) and consistently get procs +20-25 while fighting green-conned Arbor Squirrels in Coerthas. Whenever I switch to jobs in the teens and fight similar conning mobs.. I get procs of +60-70 while doing sub-100 damage to green/yellow Thistletails in the Emerald Moss cave.
It shouldn't be hard for somebody around R21-25 to have a higher Physical than me since I don't do much crafting. On the flip side, somebody just starting out could do the lower-level tests with a lower physical. What Id need is for people who can fit this criteria to simply poke a green/yellow/whatever mob, note damage, and note how much their skill procs are. Like this:
-Rank 24THM, 25 Physical. Green conning Arbor Squirrels, 140-150 damage Darts. Skill procs 20-25.
-Rank 10CON, 25 Physical. Green conning Thistletail Marmot, 75-90 damage darts. Skill procs 60ish.
etc
Do not use leve mobs.
My theory is still unproven(likely wrong, but still possibly a factor), but the observation wasn't. Skill procs do indeed deteriorate as you level, but get built back up by having additional party members. The breakthrough/confirmation is all on page one.. not going to bother reposting here. Read!